St. Tammany firefighters battle blaze that consumes Pearl River-area home

St. Tammany Parish firefighters battled a blaze late Saturday that consumed a Pearl River-area residence, according to officials. Personnel with the parish's 11th Fire Protection District were dispatched to the home in the 63000 block of U.S. 11 about 10 p.m.

View full sizeSt. Tammany Parish's 11th Fire Protection DistrictFirefighters battle a blaze that consumed a Pearl River home late Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012.

When they arrived three minutes later, flames were shooting through the roof, said Capt. Mitchell Geissler, an 11th district spokesman.

Geissler added that firefighters fought the blaze from outside until it became clear there was no danger of the house collapsing further. They then entered the house and contained the blaze within one hour of arrival.

Ultimately, the effort took 20 firefighters with the 11th District, Geissler said. Personnel with the Slidell-area Fire Protection District No. 1 assisted, and so did the Pearl River Police Department, which directed highway traffic, Geissler said.

There were no injuries reported, and it did not appear the home was permanently occupied at the time of the fire. The structure was completely lost to severe fire and smoke damage, and the cause of the disaster remains under investigation, Geissler said Tuesday.